NGT gives nod to set up C&D waste treatment plant

Gurugram: Six months after its construction work was stalled, Gurugram can now expect its first construction and demolition (C&D) waste treatment plant to soon become functional, with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) giving its go-ahead for the work.

Expressing satisfaction at the verdict, Sudhir Chauhan, senior town planner of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), said, "We will begin the work by Thursday and hope to get the project completed within six months."

Work for the C&D waste treatment plant at Basai was stayed on June 2017, with the NGT issuing notices to the Haryana government, Ministry of Environment and Forests and MCG in this regard.

The notices were sent after a petition filed by a group of environmentalists raised objections over the C&D waste treatment plant, which they claimed was an ecologically sensitive area and sanctuary for birds.

Environmentalist's claimed that at a time when natural reserves for birds are decreasing, usage of 3.5 acres of wetland at Basai will further have an adverse impact on the birds population in the city.

They rejected the MCG's claim, which stated that the area in which the plant is being set up is a wasteland.

The protest by environmentalists can prolong the time for setting up of the plant that is expected to be functional from December this year.

Since 2013, the MCG has been planning to open the C&D waste treatment plant. However, various hurdles prevented officials to go ahead with their plans.

In 2014, the MCG planned to set up the plant at Begum Pur Khatola, but had to abandon the plan after protest by locals. It was in mid 2016 that the alternative site at Basai was chosen by MCG officials. Once completed, the plant is expected to treat 300 tonnes of C&D waste.